Stephen is also a French/Canadian International Arbiter (1989), FIDE Master (1993), ICCF IM (2009). He studied Philosophy and Mathematics at the University of Toronto and also studied printing. He worked as a typographer during the 1980-90s. He started directing tournaments at the age of 16 during the Fischer boom and was on the staff of Chess Canada. An active organizer in Canada until 1991 he then moved to France. He co-founded the Club d’Echecs International de Toulouse and later worked for the French Chess Federation. He was the rating officer of the French Chess Federation from 2005-2010. He is presently a member of the FIDE arbiters’ commission. He is also involved in the training of arbiters and chess teachers.

He was chief arbiter of the World Youth Championship (1997, Cannes), the World Cup of Rapid Chess (1998, Cap d’Agde and 2001, Cannes) and the European Blitz Championship (2006, Cannes). He regularly directs Open tournaments in the south of France (St. Affrique, Cannes, Toulouse, Cap d’Agde and Montpellier). Over-the-board, he represented Canada in the student Olympiads in Mexico City in 1980 and France in the Mitropa Cup in 1999 in Baden, Switzerland. In postal chess, he was two-time Canadian Champion and was 2nd in the North American Championship of 1989-1992 (World Chpt. ¼ final)."